Ste Michelle Wine Estates and Familia Torres go separate ways

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Familia Torres have mutually agreed to wind down their US business.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Washington

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Familia Torres have mutually agreed to wind down their US business.

“We are proud to have represented the Torres portfolio in the US, and proud of our work together to advance the Torres brand in the world’s most important wine market,” said Jim Mortensen, president and CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in a statement.

Ste. Michelle began importing the Torres portfolio in 2014 and continues to import Marchesi Antinori of Italy, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte of France and Villa Maria of New Zealand.

“I would like to extend a special thank you to the entire Ste. Michelle team for their great efforts, professionalism and brand building during these years of cooperation,” said Miguel Torres Maczassek, general manager of Familia Torres in the same statement. He noted that the company will continue to represent Ste. Michelle outside the US.

A spokesperson for Torres declined to add further comment.

Although it was formally founded in 1870, the Torres family’s history as winegrowers goes back centuries. Today, the company is one of Spain’s largest wine companies, with properties in both Spain and Chile, and has frequently been named one of the world’s most admired wine brands, for its commitment to the environment.

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is located outside Seattle, Washington State and dates back to 1934. The company pioneered grape growing in the state and today owns more than 3,900 acres of vineyards across Washington, Oregon and California and includes prestigious wineries such as Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in its portfolio.